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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of the towing and storage of certain |
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motor vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 2303, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2303.1511 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2303.1511. NOTICE TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. |
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(a) This section applies only to vehicles that have been the |
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subject of a nonconsent tow: |
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(1) from private property; or |
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(2) at the request of a local law enforcement agency. |
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(b) In addition to other notices required by law, the |
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operator of a vehicle storage facility shall send an electronic |
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notification to each local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction |
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over the area from which a vehicle is towed: |
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(1) after the vehicle storage facility receives a |
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vehicle described by Subsection (a); and |
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(2) before the vehicle storage facility releases or |
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disposes of a vehicle described by Subsection (a). |
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(c) The commission may adopt rules necessary to administer |
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this section including establishing requirements for a notice and |
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the content of the notice sent under this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 2308.202, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2308.202. REGULATION BY CERTAIN POLITICAL |
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SUBDIVISIONS OF FEES FOR NONCONSENT TOWS. The governing body of a |
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municipality or a county commissioners court [political
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subdivision] may regulate the fees that may be charged or collected |
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in connection with: |
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(1) a nonconsent tow originating in the territory of |
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the municipality or county; and |
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(2) the storage of a vehicle that has been the subject |
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of a nonconsent tow at a vehicle storage facility located in the |
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territory of the municipality or county [political subdivision]. |
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SECTION 3. Section 2303.1511, Occupations Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies only to a vehicle received by a vehicle storage |
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facility on or after the effective date of this Act. A vehicle |
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received before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
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law in effect immediately before that date, and that law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |